Chapter 23: Sprain

Fuming with anger, he had no patience for gentle words. "Then we’re going to my place."

"And who are you, exactly? What gives you the right to boss me around?" The girl’s tone was indifferent, yet laced with biting sarcasm.

Mu Anyan couldn't be bothered to trade barbs with her, nor did he care to investigate why she had suddenly changed overnight, as if she had taken the wrong medication. Once she finished her cigarette and stubbed it out on the ground, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her along without giving her a say.

The moment his scorching hand clamped around her fair, delicate wrist, she reacted like a frightened bird, lashing out with her other hand. "I’m not going with you! Why are you interfering in my life? Who are you to me anyway?"

Instead of getting angry, Mu Anyan chuckled. "I’m taking you with me whether you like it or not."

Jiang Mugui was dragged along, but lacking his strength, she was completely at his mercy. Yet, she could not control her tongue, spitting out a string of insults so vile they stood in stark contrast to her soft, fair, and innocent face.

As the vulgarities reached his ears, Mu Anyan’s expression darkened. He felt as if he had brought this trouble upon himself for no reason, and his own temper began to flare. With a sudden release, he let go.

Deprived of the force holding her, Jiang Mugui lost her balance and tumbled to the side, hitting the ground with a sharp thud.

Mu Anyan’s brows knit together. His instinct was to reach out and help her up, but he forced himself to stop. He stared at her expressionlessly for a moment, as if checking to see if she was pulling another trick, before asking, "Are you alright?"

Jiang Mugui bit her lip hard, clutching her ankle, and glared at him in silence.

Her high heel had fallen off; she had sprained it. Clad in a dress, she no longer looked as fierce as she had moments ago.

Eventually, Mu Anyan sighed, crouched down, and moved her hand away from her ankle. "Let me see."

Jiang Mugui held her ankle tightly. "No need."

He spoke coldly: "Jiang Mugui!"

When she remained silent, he pulled her hand away. Seeing the red, swollen ankle, he didn't mock her further, though he didn't dare touch her too roughly. "Can you stand up on your own?"

She lowered her gaze and gave a soft, muffled nod.

He helped her slowly to her feet. This time, Jiang Mugui was much more compliant—perhaps because the pain was too intense. She couldn't wear her heel, so she carried it, limping along with his support.

The man’s hand was warm and firm, providing her with a steady anchor.

Mu Anyan hailed a taxi, helped her inside, and gave the driver an address. Twenty minutes later, they arrived.

It was a small villa, quite different from the apartment he owned in S City. Jiang Mugui looked around the house, thinking to herself how extravagant the wealthy were, buying a villa like this just for a business trip.

Mu Anyan took in her wandering thoughts and opened the door with his fingerprint. "Go on in."

Once inside, she realized the house didn't feel new; the decor looked dated but was kept impeccably clean. It was a classic early-20th-century European style.

After helping Jiang Mugui sit down, he went to the bathroom, soaked a towel in water, and brought it over to apply to her ankle. The cold sensation made Jiang Mugui flinch in pain, and she instinctively grabbed onto Mu Anyan’s clothes.

She let go immediately after.

Mu Anyan ordered takeout, and soon after, medicine to reduce swelling and improve circulation arrived. He opened it and handed it to her.

Jiang Mugui obediently took it and swallowed it.

Perhaps due to the lingering pain, her hair was damp with sweat, sticking messily to her forehead. Without thinking, Mu Anyan reached out to tuck the stray locks behind her ear.

The moment his warm touch brushed her, she jerked her head away.

Her expression returned to that cold, distant mask.

Seeing that she had stabilized, Mu Anyan calmly withdrew his hand and looked at her, his voice softening. "Does it still hurt?"

Jiang Mugui’s eyelashes fluttered, but she said nothing.

Mu Anyan seemed to have expected this and didn't take offense. "Keep the compress on a bit longer, then we’ll swap it out. If it still feels sharp, I’ll get some ice from the freezer and wrap it in a towel for you."

Jiang Mugui was silent for a long time before speaking in a frigid tone: "Dad, go tend to your business. You don't need to worry about me."

As soon as she said it, she froze. Mu Anyan was equally stunned. After a strange, heavy silence, Jiang Mugui felt her eyes sting as she stared at the towel. "I almost forgot you two are already divorced. I’ve just gotten so used to calling you that."

After a few seconds, she looked up, her tone indifferent but her voice trembling. "So, what should I call you now?"